Phineas Finn: The Irish Member

by Anthony Trollope

Your opinion is all in all to me,—only that I know you are too kind to me." "He would not be too kind to you. He is never too kind to any one. He is justice itself." Phineas, as he heard the tones of her voice, could not but feel that there was in Lady Laura's words something of an accusation against her husband. "I hate justice," said Phineas. "I know that justice would condemn me. But love and friendship know nothing of justice. The value of love is that it overlooks faults, and forgives even crimes." "I, at any rate," said Lady Laura, "will forgive the crime of your silence in the House. My strong belief in your success will not be in the least affected by what you tell me of your failure to-night. You must await another opportunity; and, if possible, you should be less anxious as to your own performance.